Winnfield Tigers

By Lee Brecheen

Head Coach: Jay Watson (4th year)

2022 Record: 9-3

Class & District: Class 2A (District 3)

2022 Playoffs: Defeated Mamou 27-0 in 1st Round, Lost to Patterson 36-12 in 2nd Round of Division III (Non-Select) Playoffs

Winnfield QB Damascus Lewis (Photo taken by Brian Lewis/Xcelentphotos)

Head coach Jay Watson is doing a great job at Winnfield High School with small numbers they have reached the playoffs back-to-back seasons in 2021 & 2022. Coach Watson is a winner as he was a part of three straight state title teams at Jonesboro-Hodge as a starting Offensive Lineman. This is his fourth year as the head Coach at Winnfield but years ago he was on the Winnfield staff from 1997-2005 as a long-time assistant coach.

“Ourffs biggest question mark is at quarterback and the offensive line. “We will still use the flexbone veer in 2023. On defense, I like our linebackers as the leaders and the group to lead us in the beginning.”

Winnfield OL/DL Eli Little (Photo taken by Justin Coody)

The program will have a new starting QB for the first time in two years with Damascus Lewis (6-0, 180). The skill talent has a chance to be good around the QB in 2023. RB Jeremy Mamon (6-1, 210) returns after missing the 2022 season with an injury. There’s also new RB/WR Jaylon Jackson (6-0, 200) who is very talented and new starter FB Jaylen Givens (5-8, 175) who is strong and quick. The offensive line lost a lot of experience and will be young but do return veteran two-way starter C/OG/DT Eli Little (6-3, 270) for the program. WR Ryan Davis (6-2, 172) is the #1 target with good hands.

Winnfield WR Ryan Davis (Photo taken by Christian Bonnette)

The defense will be the strength of the team. The linebacking corps is the nuts and bolts of this team. They are led by MLB Jake Jones (6-1, 195), two-way starter Jeremy Mamon (6-1, 210), LB John Michael Pickett (5-10, 190) who is a tough player, LB Josh Hayes (6-0, 185) and senior DE Henry Craig (5-10, 205) who is a leader on this team. The defensive line is also young and it will be led by two-way starter Eli Little (6-3, 270) and new starter Jayvian Woods (5-11, 215) who is undersized but tough. The defensive backfield will consist of CB Breylan Starks who has 4.45 speed, senior SS Jaterion Hobdy (6-1, 180) and FS Malachi Williams who is a tough kid with 4.6 speed.

The 2023 senior class had two kids sign for ball: ATH/QB Malachi Jackson (John Melvin University) and LB/DE Mannuel Espejell (Kilgore Junior -Texas).

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